CONCACAF Gold Cup Betting Odds & Stats

Unlike previous versions, the tenth edition of Gold Cup football will start today (Friday), will have a different taste because it will traverse much of the geography of the United States.

The 12 teams that come to the playing fields were divided into Groups A (Canada, Jamaica, Costa Rica and El Salvador), B (United States, Grenada, Haiti and Honduras) and C (Mexico, Guadeloupe, Panama and debutante Nicaragua).

The tournament will be launched on Friday at the Home Depot Center in Los Angeles (California), with a dual program that faces Canada against Jamaica and Costa Rica to El Salvador.

As with the previous appointment, United States, Mexico, Honduras and Costa Rica emerging as strong candidates for the title, especially the first two, who have lifted the Cup four times each.

The Americans were imposed in 1991 citations, 2002, 2005 and 2007, while the Aztecs defeated in 1993, 1996, 1998 and 2003.

The Gold Cup will serve six of the selections that come onto the scene as a laboratory with a view to the final hexagonal of CONCACAF towards South Africa-2010.

Costa Rica with 12 points commands that mini tournament, which awards three places and a direct respesca against the fifth in South America, followed by United States (10), Honduras (7), Mexico (6) and El Salvador (5).

The boys from 'Uncle Sam' came from an excellent performance in the Confederations Cup, where in the end fell to Brazil 3-2.

The Americans were the big surprise by defeating Spain in a semifinal (2-0), after reaching a miracle classification in Group B goleando 3-0 to Egypt.

Under the guidance of his new coach, Javier 'Vasco' Aguirre, Mexico will try to add a new title to his palm and increase their self-esteem, coming at least due to its erratic way through the knockout phase of CONCACAF.

"I have faith that a result like (awarded the Gold Cup) will be used for the August 12 match against the Americans in the knockout," said the president of the Mexican Federation, Justino Comp.

Aguirre on the head with the 'Tri' and outlined a recovery golear Venezuela 4-0 in a match contested in late June in Atlanta, USA.

Meanwhile, Honduras led by helmsman Colombian Reinaldo Rueda, have in their ranks to those experienced Maynor Figueroa, Amado Guevara, Wilson Palacio, Carlos Costly and Carlos Pavón.

Meanwhile, Costa Rica appears to have good chances of their extensive campaign in the hexagonal.

El Salvador, the fifth in CONCACAF qualifying, and Canada, winner of a Gold Cup (2000), was also placed in a position to give a surprise.